Cornfield blasts Cosmos after Denissen signing

Hans Denissen, who led the Scorpions with 12 goals last season, was given a “ludicrous” contract by New York, says S.A. president Howard Cornfield.

Photo: Robin Jerstad / For the Express-News

SAN ANTONO — Scorpions president Howard Cornfield launched a scathing criticism of the New York Cosmos after they poached NASL Best XI striker Hans Denissen last week, calling his new contract “ludicrous” within the league's financial parameters.

While declining to discuss specifics, Cornfield said the Scorpions made a competitive offer to bring back Denissen after he led the team with 12 goals last season. But a longer and substantially larger deal from New York precluded the return of perhaps their most popular player.

“It was so ridiculous that I honestly sat with Hans and I said, 'For the good of your family, how do you say no to this?'” Cornfield said.

The NASL does not have a salary cap. Cornfield said he plans to address the issue of salary disparity at a league gathering that begins Tuesday in Florida.

“The teams in our league have to make a decision whether they're interested in buying championships or making this a viable league that's respected throughout the world,” Cornfield said. “I'm not going to critique the way these people run their franchises. I don't like the way some of their decisions affect us. But I also take it as a challenge that we're going to beat them with our model. They can't compete with us on our business model.”

Cornfield said the Scorpions' budget still ranks among the top half of the NASL's 10 franchises. He said the team's mission to donate all profits to charity does not hamper its ability to sign or retain players.

“I can assure you this is not a cheap organization. It's a smart organization,” Cornfield said. “You've got the only man, probably, in North America that's spent $40 million out of his own pocket on soccer in the last two years (owner Gordon Hartman). That's not a cheap man.”

Denissen's departure marks the second straight offseason the Scorpions have lost their leading scorer in free agency. Pablo Campos, the league MVP in 2012, signed with Minnesota last year.

It also continues a major overhaul after the Scorpions finished last during the fall season. Defender Blake Wagner recently signed with Tampa Bay, while midfielders Pat Phelan and Edin Husic were not offered contracts.

Defender Luka Vucko, midfielders Kevin Harmse and Walter Ramirez and goalkeeper Pat Hannigan remain in limbo as manager Alen Marcina continues to explore his options. He said the Scorpions will announce Tuesday the signing of a second former Best XI selection, joining midfielder Shaun Saiko.

McCarney was an undrafted free agent out of Mankato State (Minn.) when he signed for the league minimum with the Laredo Morning Times in 1996. He earned his call-up to the San Antonio Express-News in 2000, paying his dues in the high school ranks before covering UTSA and, beginning this season, the Spurs, allowing him to write about his favorite sport and take orders from Jeff McDonald and Mike Monroe. McCarney also covers the Scorpions, where he gets his fix for the Beautiful Game.